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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Early Indicators Of Cognitive Dysfunction: The Role Of Mild Behavioral Impairment, Hillary J. Rouse
Early Indicators Of Cognitive Dysfunction: The Role Of Mild Behavioral Impairment, Hillary J. Rouse
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Older age is associated with an increased risk for cognitively impairing diseases such as dementia. Despite significant research to find ways to cure this disease, there has been little success. However, a critical need when an intervention is discovered is a need to find ways to identify people who are at the greatest risk of developing dementia earlier in the disease process so that interventions can be implemented at that time. This could potentially lessen their risk or delay when they are diagnosed. Using longitudinal data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC), the aims of this current dissertation were …
Interventions To Improve Older Driver Safety, Bernadette A. Fausto
Interventions To Improve Older Driver Safety, Bernadette A. Fausto
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Increased longevity coupled with age-related declines that compromise driving safety and fragility render older adults as vulnerable road users (Oxley & Whelan, 2008). To address this public health concern, researchers continue to investigate interventions to improve older driver safety. The current dissertation consists of two papers examining: a) the state of the literature on older driver interventions and b) the efficacy of one approach, Useful Field of View cognitive training, to reduce at-fault crash involvement. The first paper sought to identify and quantify the effects of different interventions among older adults on outcomes of crashes, on-road driving performance, self-reported outcomes …
Perspectives Of Older Blacks And Whites Living With Serious Mental Illness About Outpatient Mental Health Services, Rosalyn Roker
Perspectives Of Older Blacks And Whites Living With Serious Mental Illness About Outpatient Mental Health Services, Rosalyn Roker
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
In the United States, over three million adults, age 50 and older, reported a diagnosis of serious mental illness (SMI) in the past year. Most of them live in community-settings and are less likely than younger adults to utilize mental health treatment. Lack of and insufficient treatment for SMI places them at increased risk of morbidity, earlier mortality, cognitive decline, and diminished quality of life. The current study aimed to: (1) examine the factors that influence Black and White older adults, who live with SMI, to seek and engage in outpatient mental health treatment; (2) identify the perspectives of Black …
Using Instructions And Behavioral Skills Training To Teach Facebook Skills To Seniors, Alison Ann Oconnell
Using Instructions And Behavioral Skills Training To Teach Facebook Skills To Seniors, Alison Ann Oconnell
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The senior population is growing faster than any other population group, and life expectancy is increasing. E-mail and social media enable people of all ages to stay in touch, and find information, resources, and entertainment. Positive effects are associated with computer and internet use for older adults, but not all seniors have embraced technology and some seniors feel negatively about it. Several different methods have been used to teach seniors computer skills, including mentoring, lecturing, and providing instructions, but not many procedures have been evaluated for effectiveness. In the current study, we recruited three to five seniors, taught them to …
Exploring The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Everyday Cognitive Function In Older Adults: Within- And Between- Person Variability, Christine Haley
Exploring The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Everyday Cognitive Function In Older Adults: Within- And Between- Person Variability, Christine Haley
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Research suggests that physical activity may play a role in preserving cognitive function in older adulthood. However, the exact nature, direction, and magnitude of observed associations remain unclear. The current study utilized a microlongitudinal design to repeatedly assess cognitive function and physical activity across five days. Two studies examined relationships between physical activity, physical fitness, and cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults. The first study examined associations between baseline performance in a measure of everyday cognition and multiple measures of physical activity and physical fitness. Bivariate analyses revealed that objectively measured physical activity of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, repeated chair stand time …
The Effects Of Cognitive Stimulation And Computerized Memory Training Among Older Adults Residing In Indepedent-Living Facilities, Elizabeth M. Hudak
The Effects Of Cognitive Stimulation And Computerized Memory Training Among Older Adults Residing In Indepedent-Living Facilities, Elizabeth M. Hudak
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Background: With age, older adults experience declines in both short- and long-term memory. One way to counter these age-related declines is through memory interventions which include computerized cognitive training and non-computerized cognitive stimulation. This dissertation examined whether a cognitive training program, Dakim BrainFitness (Dakim Inc., 2002) and a program of cognitive stimulation, Mind Your Mind (Seagull & Seagull, 2007), enhance memory performance among cognitively-intact older adults residing in independent-living retirement communities. Specifically, the following research questions were proposed: (a) How effective is the computerized cognitive training program in improving memory performance relative to the cognitive stimulation program or a no-contact …
Daily Experiences Of Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment, Elizabeth Hahn
Daily Experiences Of Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment, Elizabeth Hahn
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Rationale and study aims: Persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience declines in everyday functioning and cognitive performance greater than what is experienced in normal aging but less than that of dementia. Daily stress and daily memory complaints associated with cognitive deficits may contribute to greater psychological distress in the day-to-day experiences of persons with MCI. However, research examining the occurrence of daily stressors, daily memory complaints and psychological distress in MCI is limited, and it is not clear how the daily processes of stress and affect in persons with MCI compare to cognitively healthy older adults. This dissertation examined …
Bereavement Outcomes Among Spousal Hospice Caregivers: The Role Of Rumination, Feelings Of Relief, And Perceived Suffering, Jessica Y. Allen
Bereavement Outcomes Among Spousal Hospice Caregivers: The Role Of Rumination, Feelings Of Relief, And Perceived Suffering, Jessica Y. Allen
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Background: The death of a spouse is among the most distressing life events faced by older adults and frequently follows long periods of providing extensive care and support. Although many spouses are resilient following loss, a number of bereaved spousal caregivers have poor psychological well-being and may benefit from clinical services. However, it can be difficult to determine who may most benefit from bereavement services and why some individuals are at greater risk for poor bereavement; thus, there is a need for greater understanding of the process of bereavement. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to investigate a number …